Rich Paul Laughs At Max Kellerman’s Wild Michael Jordan Analysis

Max Kellerman and Rich Paul take opposing sides on how Michael Jordan would perform in today's NBA.

Rich Paul Laughs At Max Kellerman’s Wild Michael Jordan Analysis

Rich Paul on Michael Jordan (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Rich Paul criticized Max Kellerman's claim that Michael Jordan would average a 40-point triple-double in today's NBA.
  • The debate centers on how modern players' usage rates and styles differ from Jordan's era.
  • Most fans disagree with Kellerman, noting that averaging 40 points for a season has only been achieved twice in NBA history.

There has been no player like Michael Jordan in the history of the NBA. Known for his ultra-competitiveness and killer instinct, he has cemented his place as one of, if not the greatest, players of all time. During his time in the NBA, he almost seemed invincible on the court.

Michael Jordan had a 15-year career in the NBA. He spent 13 seasons with the Chicago Bulls and two more with the Washington Wizards. But it was his time with the Bulls where he made a name for himself. Drafted as the number three pick in the 1984 NBA draft, Jordan went on to achieve immense success and several accolades in Chicago.

In Chicago, he won six NBA Championships to go along with six Finals MVPs, five MVPs, ten scoring titles, and a Defensive Player of the Year award, just to name a few. The debate for the greatest player of all time has always been around Jordan and LeBron James, but Jordan transcended the sport. He became a brand and started a trend in designer signature sneakers that would change the landscape of sports apparel forever.

LeBron James’ longtime friend and agent Rich Paul, who has faced criticism from the NBA community for starting his own podcast, went back and forth with co-host Max Kellerman about how good Michael Jordan would be in today’s era. Kellerman said Jordan would average a 40-point triple-double today.

Paul scoffed at Kellerman’s take on the Game Over podcast.

You’re out of your mind! MJ is my guy. We have a great relationship. Sometimes people say things that he don’t even believe. You’re basing this as if people still consider the pecking order. These kids today they not bowing down to nobody. They not just gonna sit around and let you shoot every shot.

Jordan played only one season (1988-89) as a true point guard, where he averaged 32.5 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Based on Kellerman’s claim, modern-day NBA players have a higher usage rate; hence, Jordan would go on to average 40 points to go along with double-digit rebounds and assists.

Fans react to Max Kellerman and Rich Paul’s debate on Michael Jordan in today’s NBA

Michael Jordan has always been known for being a ruthless competitor. He averaged over 30 points in eight seasons and 30.1 points in the regular-season for the entirety of his career. With the three-point shooting a lot more prominent today, it may have been possible for Jordan to average close to 40.

Following their interaction, NBA fans took to social media to express their opinions.

Most of the fans seem to disagree with Kellerman’s claim. It is hard to believe Jordan would average 40 for a season, as it has been achieved just twice in NBA history. It was Wilt Chamberlain who achieved it in the 1961-62 and 1962-63 campaigns.

LeBron James prefers game 7s on the road

In the NBA, one would think a game seven would be best played at home, but LeBron James has a different experience. The four-time champion is 6-2 in game sevens throughout his career, out of which four of them were on the road.

On his Game Over podcast, Rich Paul said James prefers to play Game 7s on the road.

LeBron James
LeBron James (Image credits – Noitedecopa/X)

One thing LeBron used to always say to me is, ‘I don’t want to play a home game for game 7. Id rather play on the road.’ I asked why and he said ‘because there’s less oohs and ahhs’.

James has the most game seven wins in NBA history. The most iconic win was the game seven against the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals. The 41-year-old averages 34.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in game sevens for his career.

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